The scarlet letter essay help

The Scarlet Letter also became intensely popular upon publication because it had the good fortune of becoming one of America's first mass-published books. Before The Scarlet Letter, books in America usually were handmade, sold one by one in small numbers. But Hawthorne's novel benefited from a machine press, and its first run of 2,500 copies sold out immediately. As a result, then, The Scarlet Letter benefited not only from its implicit controversial subject matter but also from an unusually large available readership. Readers who agreed or disagreed with the book's choices, however subtly, could spread the word. The novel became the equivalent of a seminal political tract--and the subject of endless discussion and debate, no doubt influencing social change. The novel also benefited because of Hawthorne’s support and respect among New England's literary establishment (he would soon become good friends with Herman Melville). Thus, the novel became popular not only with the masses. It was heralded as “appropriate” reading despite its attention to adulterous love.

Hester arranges an encounter with Dimmesdale in the forest because
she is aware that Chillingworth has probably guessed that she plans
to reveal his identity to Dimmesdale. The former lovers decide to
flee to Europe, where they can live with Pearl as a family. They
will take a ship sailing from Boston in four days. Both feel a sense
of release, and Hester removes her scarlet letter and lets down
her hair. Pearl, playing nearby, does not recognize her mother without
the letter. The day before the ship is to sail, the townspeople
gather for a holiday and Dimmesdale preaches his most eloquent sermon
ever. Meanwhile, Hester has learned that Chillingworth knows of
their plan and has booked passage on the same ship. Dimmesdale,
leaving the church after his sermon, sees Hester and Pearl standing
before the town scaffold. He impulsively mounts the scaffold with
his lover and his daughter, and confesses publicly, exposing a scarlet
letter seared into the flesh of his chest. He falls dead, as Pearl
kisses him.